PHIL 306(F) Kant's Critique of Pure Reason
Perhaps the most important of all texts in modern philosophy, the Critique of Pure Reason comprises a response to Hume's skepticism, a theory of scientific knowledge, an analysis of a challenge to traditional metaphysics, and a foundation for morality. Much of it forms one giant argument, subtle and brilliant, so difficult in detail that it has spawned two centuries of discussion and criticism. Is Kant actually an idealist, with no good reason to believe in an external world, or an empiricist, trying to construct a case that will stand up to Hume's criticism of knowledge from experience? Does Kant have an intelligible notion of the self? Do non-Euclidean geometries and quantum physics threaten Kant's defense of Euclidean and Newtonian principles? Has deconstruction undermined Kant, or does he provide a healthy corrective to its fallacies? We will work through as much of the book as we can, slowly and carefully, using some of the secondary literature to help guide us. Students will write five or six short papers, one of which each will present orally. The papers will explicate difficult passages, terms, and arguments, or will draw out what students take to be interesting implications of Kant's views. Readings, aside from the main text, will include Norman Kemp Smith, H. J. Paton, Wittgenstein, Heidegger, P. F. Strawson, Henry Allison, and Beatrice Longuenesse. Prerequisite: Philosophy 102.